Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1887-10-19
BRICKS WITHOUT STRAW.


Minna was getting discouraged.
Everything seemed to be going wrong.
from the time the coffee come up cold
and the toast had been burnt at break
fast, which had given Ferdinand an
opportunity TO stick up his nose. Fer
dlnand was her cousin, and considered
himself great swell, so she did not
like to give him an opportunity to find
fault with her housekeeping. She was
wondering how all the money was to
be found to pay for the luxuries her
mother had ordered to tempt his aris-
tocratIc palate, for she was only al
lowed so much to set the table and pay
expenses with.
Its like trying to make bricks with
out straw, :" she said TO herself as she paid
the cook and found that she had only
81 left TO finish the week on. 81 do
wish mamma was something of a house
keeper" Then she sat down and had
a good cry. She was glad to see her
cousin Cuthbert Craig drop in an hour
later when she had composed her
nerves somewhat.
Cuthburt looked about him with a
comprehensive glance, which failed not
to include Minna's ear-swollen eye
lids.
How is cousin Harriet? Is she at
homer"
mamma has been perfectly well all
the Winter. She has gone to Kate's
this morning. Ferdinand is with US,
making US a little visit. 1 am sorry
he is not here to see you"
Cuthbert did not look distressed.
They were not friends, those two
cousins, Cuthbert and Ferdinand. 1t
was Cuthbert of whom Ferdinand had
been speaking at the breakfasU-table,
in his old way. "Cuthbert," he had
said, deliberately, sis man who will
never make any money as long as he
lives" Mrs. Barney had suggested
that ne had his profession. "His pro-
fesslonln echoed Ferdinand, contemp-
tuously. "What is the profession of
young doctor without money or In
huence? If Cuthbert keeps himself in
shoeblacking for the next ten years it
will be as much as he can do"
BY which it will be seen that Fer
dInand did not appreciate his distant
relationship to DR.. Cuthbert Craig.
This young doctor, whom Ferdinand
had condemned TO the perpetual bond
age of poverty, settled himself more
comfortably in his chair and looked at
the fire, then at Minna.
"How pretty your rooms are" he
said at last.
"Oh, do you think sor" Minna
drew a long breath that was almost a
sigh.
'Yes, they are very pretty. You
have made them artistic.H
artistic, Cuthbert? With carpet
that SLAMS Won In the facel''
1.-THE carpet is bad. 1t might be
worse, however. You did not choose
it?"
"Oh, neverl 1t was already here. -
:'You have used your materials skill
fully. Minna."
There was so little to use, said she
despondently.
"Therein lies the merit, doesn't :tp
There are no heroes ready made
There never would be a victory, If
there never was fight"
Minna did not answer. Those pro-
voking tears would come back againl
Cuthbert's eyes had a flash IN them,
which sue did not see, owing to those
same troublesome tears.
by the way, Minne," said Cuth-
bert, presently, Twill you go to Thomas's
Concert with me this eveningp"
Cuthbert having announced his de-
parture, seemed in no haste to 60. He
walked around the room, regarding
first one object of art, then anoter.
"Don't examine everything so close
ly, Cuthbert, said MInna, laughing.
''You must merely glance at the gen.
eral effect. 1 do not want things
looked at in detail"
"And does that rule extend to your
self?" said Cuthbert, turning suddenly
upon her.
Yes" said Minna, though she col
ored.
You did not tell me In time" said
he, quietly. What was IL Minnaf"
he continued. Won't you tell me
what caused all those tears?''
"The old story, Cuthbert. Trying
to make bricks without straw"
perhaps you try to make too many
bricks, Mlnna?"
"The house must be built you
know"
"What represents straw In the pres
ent Instance2"
ssOh, many things. A little more
strength, and a little more time
and-''
"And little more courage and per-
severance" added Cuthbert with a
smile.
THAT is easy for you to say, Cuth-
bert. You are so strong in both"
"Am L, indeed? 1 was thinking of
borrowing straw from you. Perhaps
you can effect profitable exchange OF
commodities. Think it over, will you!
Good-by."
DIR. Craig came for his cousin that
evening in the cosiest of coupes. He
brought her, too, a bunch of freshest
Internationally. MInna fastened a
handful in her dress. and through the
evening their heavenly odor linked
itself with every tender strain that
rose.
When they reached home the fire
was out and the room cold, yet Cuth-
bert fingered.
"Minna." he said abruptly, ''did
you know that 1 had got that place in
the life insurance."
Her voice, in reply, was quite low:
1.-The place Of examining physician.
Was not that the one you wanted?'
yes" said Cuthbert, with a sud-
den fervor. 81 did want it, and
worked hard for it with one purpose,
with one end in view. He bent oveI
her chair. You know what that WIS
my one love-" She spoke not. He
went on, passionately:
"Have I been trying to make my
bricks without straw? Have 1 beer
working and hoping in vain?"
mo Cuthbert," she answered
softly, placing her hand In his, mot il
vain."
California Fruit Crop